# A Brief History of Time

> 1988 non-fiction book by Stephen Hawking

**Wikidata**: [Q471726](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q471726)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brief_History_of_Time)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-brief-history-of-time

## Summary
*A Brief History of Time* is a seminal 1988 non-fiction book by British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking that explains complex scientific concepts like the Big Bang, black holes, and the origins of the universe to a general audience. It remains a cornerstone of popular science literature, blending cosmology with accessible prose. The book’s enduring popularity underscores its role in democratizing scientific knowledge.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date**: 1988 (exact month unspecified).
- **Author**: Stephen Hawking (1942–2018), a renowned British physicist and cosmologist.
- **Genres**: Non-fiction, popular science, and literary work.
- **Aliases**: *A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes* and *Brief History of Time*.
- **Related Works**: Preceded by *Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays* (1993), another book by Hawking.
- **Origin Country**: United Kingdom.
- **Sitelink Count**: 57 (indicating its prominence across Wikimedia projects).
- **Wikidata Description**: "1988 non-fiction book by Stephen Hawking."

## FAQs
- **Who wrote *A Brief History of Time*?**  
  The book was authored by Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist known for his work on black holes and Hawking radiation.

- **What topics does the book cover?**  
  It explores the Big Bang, black holes, the nature of space and time, and the origins of the universe, aiming to make these concepts understandable to non-specialists.

- **Is the book part of a series?**  
  While not part of a formal series, it is related to Hawking’s later works, such as *Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays* (1993), which expand on similar themes.

- **Why is the book significant?**  
  It revolutionized science communication by making complex cosmological ideas accessible to the public, contributing to Hawking’s global fame and inspiring further interest in physics.

## Why It Matters
*A Brief History of Time* transformed how scientific ideas are shared with the public, proving that intricate topics like quantum mechanics and general relativity could captivate broad audiences. Its success paved the way for modern popular science writing and solidified Hawking’s status as a cultural icon. The book’s ability to balance depth with clarity has made it a enduring reference for both educators and casual readers, ensuring its relevance decades after publication.

## Notable For
- **Best-selling Science Book**: One of the most popular science books ever written, despite its technical subject matter.
- **Cultural Impact**: Introduced concepts like the "no-boundary proposal" and the idea that "time had a beginning" to mainstream discourse.
- **Accessible Complexity**: Demonstrated that abstract scientific theories could be explained without oversimplification, setting a new standard for science communication.
- **Longevity**: Remains widely read and referenced despite advancements in cosmology since 1988.

## Body

### Publication and Author Background
*A Brief History of Time* was published in 1988 by Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist (1942–2018). Hawking, known for his work on black holes and his experience with motor neuron disease, wrote the book to "explain the universe to the average person." The work’s full title, *A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes*, reflects its scope, spanning cosmological origins to cutting-edge theories in physics.

### Related Works and Legacy
The book is part of Hawking’s broader literary output, followed by *Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays* (1993), a collection of essays that further explore cosmology and theoretical physics. Both works are classified under **popular science** and **literary work**, emphasizing their dual role as educational and engaging writing. The book’s success helped establish the **popular science** genre as a major literary category, encouraging scientists to communicate with general audiences.

### Genres and Style
As a **literary work** and **essay** collection, *A Brief History of Time* blends scientific rigor with narrative flair. Hawking’s use of analogies (e.g., comparing the universe’s expansion to a balloon inflating) and historical context (e.g., discussions of Einstein’s contributions) distinguishes it from dry academic texts. Its classification as a **non-fiction book** underscores its grounding in empirical research, while its **sitelink count** of 57 on Wikidata highlights its global recognition and cross-cultural relevance.

### Geographic and Cultural Context
The book originated in the **United Kingdom**, where Hawking held citizenship and conducted much of his research. The UK’s rich history of scientific innovation, from Newton to modern cosmology, provided a foundational context for Hawking’s work. The country’s inception dates (1927 and 1921, tied to constitutional changes) reflect its evolving identity, which indirectly influenced Hawking’s international platform as a British scientist.

### Technical Specifications and Impact
Published in 1988, the book has been released in multiple editions and languages, though specific statistical data (e.g., sales figures) is not provided in the source material. Its **aliases**, including the abbreviated *Brief History of Time*, indicate its familiarity to audiences worldwide. The book’s structure—combining chapters on relativity, quantum mechanics, and philosophical questions about the universe’s fate—has been widely imitated in subsequent science writing.

### Connected Entities
- **Stephen Hawking**: The author’s multifaceted career (theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author) and numerous occupations (e.g., researcher, professor, science communicator) contextualize the book’s authority and purpose.
- **United Kingdom**: As the book’s country of origin, the UK’s historical and cultural framework shaped Hawking’s academic trajectory and the work’s initial reception.
- **Popular Science**: The book’s role in defining this genre is evident in its influence on later authors and its continued use in educational settings to spark interest in STEM fields.

### Limitations and Criticisms
While the source material does not include criticisms, the book’s technical depth occasionally challenged readers, prompting Hawking to release *A Briefer History of Time* (2005) as a simplified companion. This underscores the original work’s ambition to balance accessibility with scientific integrity, a tension inherent to popular science writing.

## References

1. The Ultimate Turtle
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofti00hawk)
4. [Source](https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/pdp/luxury/books-&-manuscripts/book/history,-travel,-exploration/_stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-time-from-the-big-bang-to-black-holes-introduction-by-carl-sagan-first-uk-edition-book-0b03)
5. BBC Things
6. Quora
7. Goodreads